Steeplechasing 101?

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Avalon1970;2379664]
Racey, who was my favorite from Dougie’s barn, besides the sweet Hirapour, broke his leg badly at the second to last jump and had to be put down.[/QUOTE]

Indeed the son of AP Indy was euthanized after fracturing his leg. It was per this Associated Press article his first start since 2004.

“Mixed Up Wins Royal Chase for Sheppard, Pape” 4-21-07 - link includes a replay of the entire races which, aside from the spill, was a good thriller although jock Chip Miller said otherwise:

Racey Dreamer wasn’t the only horse to fall attempting a jump. Preemptive Strike had the lead at the eighth fence when he threw jockey Chip Miller, but that horse got back up and kept running.

“From my perspective, (the race) stunk,” Miller said. “He’s a very free-running horse and they’re very high risk. He was a little extravagant around the fences.”

[SteeleRdr]

Report for you Glim:

Straight Gin pulled up in the Open Timber today at Middleburg. I thought he was going along pretty good, but I heard somewhere he pulled a shoe on course or something like that. Betsy may be able to tell you, I meant to ask but I forgot.

Gliding (NZ) won the second leg of the steeplechase triple crown. Winner of the first leg, Orison, nearly fell at the first fence, and seemed to never recover and was not a threat.

Kudos to Jeff Murphy of his ride on Bon Fleur…he put in a hell of a ride and the sharp left hand turn to the final time on the backside in the steeplethon was AMAZING! I was super impressed with how he rode that turn.

That’s all I have to report at this time. Oh yeah, my boy Telly (I’m Telling) didn’t have as much work this week as Bay would have liked because of the rain, and he ran out front and led much of the way, but tired in the last 1/4 mile. His jockey though, a new kid, Nick Carter was quite impressive and his riding ability definitely turned a few heads and had a few trainers asking Bay who he was and his story. Really nice jock!

[Glimmerglass]

@SteeleRdr;2380335

Straight Gin pulled up in the Open Timber today at Middleburg. I thought he was going along pretty good, but I heard somewhere he pulled a shoe on course or something like that. Betsy may be able to tell you, I meant to ask but I forgot.

Thanks for the news - any updates on his condition and/or what was wrong?

Glad to hear that the Spring Races were a success and the steeplethon was a blast. There are others who lurk here who love that format

The 61st Block-House Steeplechase in Tryon, NC was picture perfect and brought in some 35,000 fans

The horses cooperated to make it a great day, with a thrilling ride in the featured Block House run, two miles and three furlongs over national fences.

In addition to two horses losing their jockeys during the race, River Bend produced more drama with a strong surge at the finish to pull away from the pack and win by three lengths over Niello, with Kilbeggan Lad finishing third.

Photo gallery of Tryon Block House chase - no idea why they included the one of the jockey being dragged.

[Glimmerglass]

Article on the Maryland “Grand National” on Saturday- Baltimore Sun

The Maryland Amateur Timber Association has put up a $30,000 bonus to a horse that can double in the $30,000 Grand National and next Saturday’s Hunt Cup, but Andre Brewster, Bubble Economy’s owner, expressed no interest in running the 8-year-old there.

“Three weeks in a row is too much,” Brewster said.

Regarding the winning jockey:

According to Gillam, riding Bubble Economy is a matter of less is more.

“He’s an interesting horse to ride,” she said. “I have the utmost confidence in him. I let him do his job, I’m just the passenger. I was waiting for the race to come to me.”

Gillam, 32, knows what it’s like to own a swift set of legs, as she was a fine middle distance runner for James Madison University, qualifying for several NCAA championships and once covering 1,500 meters in 4:18.

Now her days begin as an exercise rider at Pimlico, for trainer Dickie Small. Jack Fisher, Bubble Economy’s trainer, was racing some of his other jumpers in Virginia today.

As an aside - no updates on the condition of jockey, Ellen Horner who went over the top of Thundering Home. Ellen Horner suffered serious head, neck and back injuries. She was transported by MedStar helicopter to the Shock-Trauma Center at University Hospital, where she was listed [on Sat evening] in critical condition last night.

It must be something about ___ home horses as we all recall that Gary Stevens was tossed hard by a horse named “Storming Home” in the Arlington Million.

[Hunter_s_Rest]

Gruesomely, Ellen Horner had TWO falls at Grand National. Douglas Lees just sent me some amazing photos - they’ll probably show up in the Steeplechase Times next issue. She’s in an INDUCED COMA at the shock trauma unit of University of Maryland in Baltimore.
Pray for her.
Middleburg Spring Races were the best. Good horses, great footing, wonderful weather, good crowd. Oh, my, the steeplethon was a joy to watch - short field (4) but each fenced professionally, and the riders were a treat - so good at their jobs. If there had been 24 you’d’ve thought you were railside on a pretty June day at Leopardstown - top quality competition.
I think Straight Gin is just no good. Sorry Glimmer. He’s had enough chances to show his mettle. Didn’t hear about a pulled shoe, but I’ve just not been so impressed.
However, check out my special Virginia Gold Cup special section included in this week’s Fauquier Times Democrat paper (4/25/07) - there’s a lovely photo of Chip Miller on the horse jumping like a grand prix horse last year at Great Meadow.
I’m Telling looked superb yesterday until swallowed by late-comers. I think the front runners were all coming back at Glenwood. The footing was in prime condition but it wasn’t forgiving to front runners.
More about ELLEN HORNER shortly. Keep her in your thoughts.

[Glimmerglass]

On the topic of steeplechasing perhaps someone would know the answer - has there ever been specifically quarter horse chasing?

Obviously thoroughbreds are used in all recognized chases, but QH can easily jump and contrary to bias they can last more then 1-mile. Ask eventers and they can tell you that a QH will do a cross country course just fine.

I’m wondering if the AQHA would’ve ever encouraged that as an interesting sporting alternative.

[Hunter_s_Rest]

Errr, I’m afraid (no offense) but QH jump racing would be akin to Arabian flat racing – reallllllly realllllly slowwwwwww.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;2382473]
Gruesomely, Ellen Horner had TWO falls at Grand National. Douglas Lees just sent me some amazing photos - they’ll probably show up in the Steeplechase Times next issue. She’s in an INDUCED COMA at the shock trauma unit of University of Maryland in Baltimore.
Pray for her.[/QUOTE]

How horrible! Please keep us up to date if possible.

The ugliness of the GN asdie, I’m glad to hear the Glenwood Races went off so well. The perfect countryside, good weather and plenty of tradition and horse fans … how can you go wrong?

Just give Gin one more try He certainly isn’t coming in dead last and while not the second comming of Lonesome Glory I think he’s a fine addition to the sport if only to bring some name recognition and being decent player.

No offense on the QH question - I would’ve though the folks in Houston or Dallas would’ve tried something like that at some point in time.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;2382473]
However, check out my special Virginia Gold Cup special section included in this week’s Fauquier Times Democrat paper (4/25/07) …[/QUOTE]

HR - when will the special section be also available on-line?

The Fall 2006 special on Steeplechasing is still available

[Hunter_s_Rest]

Gosh, I had no idea they put the special sections online. Wow.
It’s coming out this Wednesday, April 25, so I guess it will be up then.

[Glimmerglass]

2007 Iroquois Steeplechase - McDynamo returns!

The 66th Annual Iroquois Steeplechase isn’t until May 12, but already it has some solid buzz for the day with last year’s Eclipse champion scheduled to run!

2007 Iroquois field billed as best in history
April 25, 2007
the Murfreesboro Post

NASHVILLE- Nominations are in for horses to run in the 2007 Iroquois Steeplechase and Dwight Hall, Clerk of the Course, says this years field could be the best in the events 66-year history.

Two of the best horses in steeplechasing, McDynamo and Sur La Tete, will run for the first time this season at the Iroquois. These two giants were actually held out of an important race last Friday, the Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings at Keeneland, so that their trainers could focus on getting them ready for our race. This is just one indication of the level of excitement the Iroquois is generating on the national steeplechase circuit, Hall said.

Also nominated are the horse that placed second at Keeneland last week, Good Night Shirt, as well as Mon Villez, which placed second to McDynamo at the Colonial Cup in Camden, S.C. last November. Then we have Bow Strada and The Looper, which captured second and third, respectively, at the Georgia Cup in Atlanta a few weeks ago. During the same Atlanta meet, two other horses nominated for the Iroquiois finished in the money: Hip Hop ran first and Meadow ran second in Atlantas Irongate Capital race.

It is shaping up to be a very exciting race, perhaps a historic one. There is also strong local representation. Nashville owner Calvin Houghland has nominated five of his horses: Bow Strada, Chivite, Meadow, Mon Villez and Say What You See, Hall continued.

Horses nominated for the 2007 Iroquois Steeplechase.
(Trainers in parentheses.)

1. BOW STRADA (B. Miller)
2. CHIVITE (B. Miller)
3. GOOD NIGHT SHIRT (Fisher)
4. HIP HOP (Johnny Griggs)
5. KILBEGGAN LAD (Haynes)
   6. MCDYNAMO (S. Hendriks)
6. MEADOW (Sheppard)
7. MON VILLEZ (B. Miller)
8. SAY WHAT YOU SEE (Thompson)
9. SUR LA TETE (Morris)
10. THE LOOPER (Voss)

The event benefits the Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt.

[Glimmerglass]

Did anyone see the shocking image captured at the (Keeneland) Royal Chase of April 20th with Chip Miller aboard Preemptive Strike? Per the record the horse got back up and kept running. However if you see the picture you wonder how the horse isn’t without a broken leg!

Herald Leader Photos - look up “The Week In Pictures” for April 15 - 21 it will be the second to last of the series.

(You can’t directly link to the exact image)

> If you are looking at ‘The Week in Pitcures’ series and see the week prior with the horse on her back with legs in the air, that would be … Hucking Hot (GB): [i]Right before the Ashalnd Stakes, she tossed jockey Rafael Beajarano, broke loose, almost crashed into the starting gate and tried to jump over the rail. She flipped over onto her back and was scratched. Beajarano was not injured.

Maryjean Wall, the Lexington Herald-Leader’s racing writer, wrote: “In the day’s most carefully enunciated disclosure, track announcer Kurt Becker informed the crowd of 12,937 that Hucking Hot was scratched.”[/i]]

[awm]

Virginia Beach

I just read in the Hunting forum that Virginia Beach has passed away—

We’re very sad to hear that in western New York, she ran the Pt. to Pts.
so well, someone has some serious shoes to fill.

If there is any place to send condolences or rememberances, will
someone let us know?

Thanks,
Ann

[SteeleRdr]

awm- There was an announcement both in the Official Notices for the NSA and also at www.centralentryoffice.com. I believe any donations, etc can be made to the Marion DuPont Equine Center Horse Ambulance.

[Hunter_s_Rest]

GG
With your double negative, I can’t tell what you mean about Preemptive Strike, but he didn’t break down – Racey Dreamer did (broken shoulder.)

[system]

Racey broke his leg, not his shoulder. At least that is the word from a friend that works for Dougie Fout.

[Hunter_s_Rest]

The owners told me shoulder, but I don’t know. Sad in any case. He was a lovely, competitive, handsome horse. Pity.

[awm]

Virginia

SteelRdr, thanks for the info.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;2390597]
With your double negative, I can’t tell what you mean about Preemptive Strike, but he didn’t break down – Racey Dreamer did (broken shoulder.)[/QUOTE]

Actually my remark was …

Did anyone see the shocking image captured at the (Keeneland) Royal Chase of April 20th with Chip Miller aboard Preemptive Strike? Per the record the horse got back up and kept running. However if you see the picture you wonder how the horse isn’t without a broken leg!

I was stating my amazement that he was not injured after seeing the picture they feature. I know he wasn’t injured but shocked that is the case. You need to see the picture in the context of my remark He contorted leg back with the spill would’ve snapped on most other horses … just very lucky in this case.

[Glimmerglass]

12th annual Queen’s Cup Steeplechase near Charlotte, NC record crowd excerpt …

Charlotte Observer - April 29

Perfect setting for day at the races
Annual Queen’s Cup event raises $20,000 for hospice

The weather was perfect Saturday for the 12th annual Queen’s Cup Steeplechase on the grounds of Brooklandwood in Union County. The crowd for the event totaled a record 17,000, and visitors came from as far as Los Angeles.

In the infield, picnickers and families lounged on blankets and in lawn chairs, moving to the rails each time the racers sped by.